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==Introduction==__NOTOC__[[File: Diadochi satraps babylon.png |250px|thumb|left| The Empire of Alexander the Great at his death]]In the aftermath of the death of Alexander the Great his Empire fell into the hands of a series of ambitious warlords who sought to seize as much land and power as they could. The majority of these were former commanders in Alexander’s army and were Macedonian nobles. However, one of the so called, successors or Diadochi of the great conqueror Alexander was a Greek by the name of Eumenes of Cardia (361 – 316 BC). He was to become  Eumenes became one of the leading players in the first two wars of the Diadochi and he was to show showed a considerable military capabilitiesaptitude. Eumenes is now largely forgotten figure but he had a decisive impact on the Hellenistic World. Despite being one of the few Greeks in the Macedonian army, he attempted to ensure that the Argead dynasty of Macedonia remained the monarchs of a united Empire. If he had succeeded he would have changed the course of the Hellenistic World.[[File: A;ex 2====Background====Eumenes was probably born in Cardia and was of Greek origin.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Painting His father came into the service of the Macedonian monarchs of the ancient Argead dynasty, and it seems likely that Eumenes was a Macedonian soldier from member of the nobility. There are tales that he was the son of a 3rd century wagoner, but this is not likely to be true. Most likely, the young Eumenes came to the attention of King Phillip II and soon became part of his inner circle and friendly with the young Alexander the Great. Eumenes remained close to Alexander until his death. Eumenes also accompanied Alexander on his conquest of the Persian Empire. He was to eventually become in 330 BC tomb]]Alexander’s principal secretary and keeper of the Royal Archives. While this was not a particularly glamorous position, but it gave Eumenes real power and demonstrated that Alexander trusted him.<ref> Anson, Edward. Eumenes of Cardia: a Greek among Macedonians (Amsterdam, Brill, 2015), p 17 </ref>

==Background==Eumenes was probably born played a central role in Cardia and was of Greek origin. His father came into the service administration of the Macedonian monarchs of territories conquered by the ancient Argead dynasty and it great king. It seems likely that during the invasion of India that Eumenes was given command of a member of the nobilitymilitary unit and gained invaluable experience. There are tales that However, he was the son of a wagoneroften in conflict with Alexander’s best friend and probable lover Hephastion, but despite this is not likely to be true, he remained in the conqueror’s favor. It seems that the young <ref> Plutarch, Life of Eumenes came to , 3, 4, 8</ref> When the attention of King Phillip II and soon became part of his inner circle and became friendly with the young Alexander the Great. Eumenes great king died in 323 BC in Babylon, he was present and was to remain close to the greatest appointed as governor of all the Argead kings until his deathyet- unconquered province of Cappadocia in what is now northern Turkey. Eumenes accompanied Alexander on his conquest  With the support of Peridiccas, the Persian Empire. He was to eventually become in 330 BC Alexander’s principal secretary and keeper titular head of the Royal Archives. This army he was not a very glamorous position, but able to subdue this area and made it gave Eumenes real his power and he had base. Perdicas wanted the trust of Alexander <ref> AnsonMacedonian Royal family to continue to rule a united Empire, Edwardalbeit under his regency. Eumenes of Cardia: a Greek among Macedonians (AmsterdamHowever, Brill, 2015), p 17 </many Macedonian generals or satraps had different ideas and wanted to create their own independent kingdoms.<ref>Westerfield, Peter. He played a central role in Dividing the administration of the territories conquered by Spoils: The War for Alexander the great king. It seems that during the invasion of India that Great's Empire (Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2012), p 6</ref> ====Campaigns of Eumenes was given command of a military unit and gained invaluable experienceCardia====[[File: Alex One. However, he was often in conflict with Alexander’s best friend and probable lover Hephastion, but despite this he remained in jpg|250px|thumb|left| Alexander the conqueror’s favour <ref> Plutarch, Life Great]]By 321 Perdiccas was the most powerful of Eumenesall the successors, 3and he controlled all Asia, 4, 8</ref>. When and this led to a great deal of resentment from the great king died in 323 BC in Babylon, satraps who feared he was present and was appointed as governor of the yet- unconquered province of Cappadocia in what is now northern Turkeygrowing too powerful. With the support of PeridiccasIn 321 BC Antipater send Craterus into Asia Minor, from Macedonia, the titular head of the Royal army where he was able to subdue this area and made it be joined by the satrap of Armenia in an attack on Perdiccas. He was on his power base. Perdicas wanted the Macedonian Royal family way to continue Egypt to rule a united Empire, albeit under deal with Ptolemy and he placed Eumenes in charge of Asia Minor despite his regencylack of military experience. However, many Macedonian generals or satraps had different ideas The former secretary and wanted to create their own states scholar was a natural leader and ultimately independent kingdoms <refinflicted a serious defeat on the satrap of Armenia.<ref> WesterfieldAnson, Peter. Dividing the Spoils: The War for Alexander the Great's Empire (Oxfordp 34</ref>  However, Oxford University Press, 2012), p 6</ref>this satrap was able to unite his forces with Craterus and threated Eumenes province of Cappadocia.[[File: Diadochi satraps babylon.png |250px|thumb|left| The Empire At a battle on the borders of Cappadocia (320 BC), Eumenes inflicted a devastating defeat on his enemies and killed one of Alexander the Great at enemy commanders in single combat. This made the Greek master of all Asia Minor. However, his death]]==Campaigns of Eumenes of Cardia ==By 321 senior commander Perdiccas was assassinated by his own commanders. At the most powerful of all the successors and he controlled all Asia and this led to a great deal of resentment from settlement made at Triparadisus (320 BC), the various generals divided the satraps who feared he was growing too powerfulEmpire among themselves. In 321 BC Antipater send Craterus into Asia Minor Antigonus, from Macedoniathe one-eyed general, where he was to be joined by given the satrap task of hunting down Eumenes, because he had been a partisan of Armenia in an attack on PerdiccasPeridiccas. He Despite being outnumbered the Greek was on his way able to Egypt to deal with Ptolemy evade Antigonus and he placed Eumenes held up in charge the stronghold of Asia Minor despite his lack of military experienceNora in Cappadocia (modern Turkey). <ref>Anson, Edward M. "The former secretary siege of Nora: A source conflict." Greek, Roman, and scholar was a natural leader and inflicted a serious defeat on the satrap of Armenia <ref> Anson, p 34Byzantine Studies 18, no. 3 (1977): 251-256 </ref>. However When the political situation suddenly changed, this satrap was able to unite his forces with Craterus and threated Antigonus offered Eumenes province of Cappadocia. At a battle on the borders role of Cappadocia (320 BC), his second in command in his army because he recognized Eumenes inflicted a devastating defeat on his enemies and killed one military accomplishments. As part of this settlement he was given control of the enemy commanders in single combat. This made Royal Treasury and the elite Silver Shields, the Greek master of all Asia Minorseasoned veterans of Alexander’s army. However, his senior commander Perdiccas Eumenes, unlike Antigonus, fervently believed in a united Empire and one that was assassinated headed by his own commandersa member of the Royal House of Macedonia. Eumenes would eventually alienate him from Antigonus. At  After the the settlement made at Triparadisus death of Antipater, Polyperchon became regent (320 BC319 AD), and was in possession of the various generals divided Royal Family and was the Empire among themselves. Antigonus, only legitimate authority in the one-eyed general, was given Empire in the task eyes of hunting down many. He asked Eumenes, because he had been a partisan to change sides and to support the family of PeridiccasAlexander. Despite being outnumbered the The Greek was able to evade Antigonus agreed and betrayed Antignous and entered into an alliance with Polyperchon and held up in the stronghold of Nora Royal Family. Indeed, it seems that he was even in Cappadocia (modern Turkey) regular contact with Alexander’s sister Cleopatra.<ref>AnsonWaterfield, Edward Mp. "The siege of Nora: A source conflict." Greek, Roman, 78</ref>  Antigonus was by now the most powerful successor of Alexander and sought to crush Eumenes and Byzantine Studies 18, noPolyperchon who represented the royalist cause. This split led to the Second War of Diadochi. 3 In the naval battle of the Bosporus (1977318): 251-256 </ref>. The political situation changed , Antignous defeated the royalist fleet and Antigonus offered him the role of his second thus isolated Eumenes from Polyperchon, who fought a civil war against Casander in command in his army as he clearly recognized Macedonia, with the brilliance backing of the former secretary and archivistAlexander’s mother, Olympia. <ref> Waterfield, p. As part of this settlement he was given control of the Royal Treasury and 81</ref> The one-eyed general used his superior numbers to put great pressure on Eumenes.  However, the elite Silver Shields, the seasoned veterans of Alexander’s Eumenes was resourceful and built up an army. However, On one occasion Eumenes as a Greek believed in was nearly ambushed by the idea of a united Empire and one that was headed Macedonian, but intelligence sent by a member of the Royal House of MacedoniaCleopatra saved him. After the death He was forced out of Antipater, Polyperchon became regent Asia Minor and briefly occupied Phoenicia (319 ADLebanon) and was in possession of the Royal Family and was the only legitimate authority in the Empire in the eyes of manyafter beating Ptolemy’s Egyptian forces. He asked Antigonus pursued Eumenes to change sides and to support the family and propelled him further east with his army. After a series of small battles in which he inflicted minor defeats of Alexander. The Greek agreed and betrayed Antignous and entered into an alliance with Polyperchon and the Royal Family. IndeedAntigonid army, it seems that he was even Eumenes then took his forces into modern Iraq and Iran. He often claimed to have received messages from the great conqueror in regular contact with Alexander’s sister Cleopatra <ref>Waterfield, p. 78</ref>. Antignous was by now his dreams and associated himself with the most powerful successor and he sought to crush Eumenes and Polyperchon who represented cult of Alexander by holding meetings with an empty throne where the spirit of the royalist cause, and this led great monarch was meant to the Second War of Diadochibe seated. In the naval battle of the Bosporus (318)<ref> Plutarch 11</ref> These religious messages allowed Eumenes, Antignous defeated even though he was Greek, to gain the loyalty of the royalist fleet and thus isolated Eumenes from PolyperchonMacedonian hoplites, who fought a civil war against Casander in Macedonia, with especially the Silver Shields. He has obtained the backing support of Alexander’s mother, Olympia <ref> Waterfield, p. 81</ref>some eastern Satraps who had grown suspicious of Antigonus ambitions. The one-eyed general used his superior numbers to put great pressure on Antigonid army chased Eumenes. HoweverThe two armies faced each other at Paraitakene, northeast of Susa, the Greek from Cardia was resourceful and built up an armyin what is now Iran in 317 BC. On one occasion Eumenes was nearly ambushed by the Macedonian but he was saved by intelligence sent by Cleopatra, despite being outnumbered devised a brilliant strategy that almost overwhelmed his opponent. He was forced out of Asia Minor <ref>Waterfield, p 80</ref>  Eumenes defeated Antigonus who suffered heavy casualties, and briefly occupied Phoenicia (Lebanon) after beating Ptolemy’s Egyptian forcesEumenes' army suffered only light casualties. Antignous pursued Eumenes and forced him further east with his armyThe two armies then withdrew to their respective winter quarters. After a series of small battles In 316 BC, the two armies met again in which he inflicted minor defeats of the Antigonid army, Eumenes then took his forces into what is modern Iraq and Iranat Gabiene (316 BC). He often claimed to have received messages from the great conqueror in Once again Alexander’s former private secretary demonstrated his dreams military brilliance. He inflicted heavy casualties on Antigonus and associated himself with the cult won an inconclusive victory. Then a chance event ruined his moment of Alexander glory.  His army’s baggage train was captured by holding meetings with an empty throne where the spirit of the great monarch was meant to be seated Antigonid cavalry. <ref> Plutarch 11Waterfield, p 86</ref>. This meant that even though he was Greek he was able to gain all the personal wealth and the loyalty wives of the Macedonian hoplites, especially Sacred Band were in the Silver Shields. He was able to obtain hands of the support of some eastern Satraps who had grown suspicious of Antigonus ambitions. The Antigonid army chased Eumenes. The two armies came to face at Paraitakene, to elite hoplites sought their wealth and wives back from the northeast of Susa, in what is now Iran in 317 BCone-eyes general. He agreed to their demands but on one condition that they hand over to him Eumenes, despite being outnumbered devised a brilliant strategy that almost overwhelmed . The Macedonian Silver Shields decided to betray the army of his opponent <ref>Waterfield, p 80</ref>Greek general. Atigonus was almost totally defeated  According to Plutarch ‘’ they fell upon him, took away his sword, and suffered heavy casualties, while Eumenes army suffered only light casualtiesbound his hands behind him with his own girdle. The two armies then withdrew ’’ <ref>Plutarch, 17</ref> Antigonus apparently only wanted to their respective winter quartersimprison him but his generals demanded that Eumenes be executed. In 316 BC After weeks of indecision the two armies met again in what is modern Iran at Gabiene (316 BC)Macedonian general reluctantly had his one-time ally killed. Once again Alexander’s former private secretary This was to show his military brilliance. He was able to inflict heavy casualties on the de-facto end of the Second Diadochi War and left Antigonus and won an inconclusive victory. Then a chance event ruined his moment as the ruler of most of the former Empire of gloryAlexander the Great. His army’s baggage train was captured by Antigonid cavalry <ref> Waterfield, p 86</ref>. This meant  An interesting footnote is that all the personal wealth and often Antidonus sent the wives of the Sacred Band were in the hands of the Antigonid armySilver Shields who had betrayed Eumenes to what is modern day Afghanistan to battle local rebels. The elite hoplites sought Plutarch reports that he instructed their wealth and wives back from the commander to use them in ways so that ‘’not one-eyes general. He agreed of them might return to their demands but on one condition that they hand over to him EumenesMacedonia. The Silver Shields who were all Macedonians had no real loyalty to their Greek general. According to ’’ <ref> Plutarch ‘’ they fell upon him, took away his sword19, and bound his hands behind him with his own girdle’’ <ref>Plutarch, 173</ref>. Antigonus apparently only wanted to imprison him but his generals demanded that  ====Eumenes be executed. After weeks of indecision and the First and the Macedonian general reluctantly had his one-time ally killedSecond Diadochi Wars====Eumenes was an outstanding leader and general. This He was a key player in the de-facto end first two wars of the Second Diadochi War and it left Antigonus as successors of Alexander. His brilliant victory over Craterus meant that the ruler cause of most of the former Empire Perdicas was not lost, even after his assassination. His continued defiance in Asia Minor of Alexander the Great. An interesting footnote is Antigonus meant that the one-eyed Macedonian general had War of the Silver Shields who had betrayed EumenesFirst Diadochi was prolonged even after the death of Perdicas.  Moreover, his defeat of Craterus, sent to what is now Afghanistan to battle local rebelsone of the most popular Macedonian generals, removed someone who could have become a major player in the events of the time. Plutarch reports that he instructed their commander to use them The former private secretary of Alexander played an even more significant role in ways so that ‘’ not one of them might return the Second Diadochi War. His decision to break with Antigonus and become the ally of Polyperchon and the Macedonian royal family lead to Macedonia’’ <ref> Plutarch, 19, 3</ref>.the overthrow of the Triparadisus settlement (320 BC). [[File: Alex OneIn effect, Eumenes success made another round of civil wars inevitable.jpg|250px|thumb|left| His decision to throw in his lot with the Regent and the relatives of Alexander was one of the sparks that ignited the second war of the Great]]__NOTOC__successors. He was arguably someone who destabilized the territories that were conquered by the phalanxes of Alexander.

==Eumenes and the First and the Second Diadochi Wars==The Greek was an outstanding leader and general. He was a key player in the first two wars of the successors of Alexander. His brilliant victory over Craterus meant that the cause of Perdicas was not lost, even after his assassination. His continued defiance in Asia Minor of Antigonus meant that the War of the First Diadochi was to be prolonged even after the death of Perdicas. Moreover, his defeat of Craterus, perhaps one of the most popular Macedonian generals removed someone who could have become a major player in the events of the time. The former private secretary of Alexander was to play an even greater role in the Second Diadochi War. His decision to break with Antigonus and to become the ally of Polyperchon and the Macedonian royal family lead to the overthrow of the Triparadisus settlement (320 BC). In effect Eumenes made another round of civil wars inevitable. His decision to throw in his lot with the Regent and the relatives of Alexander was one of the sparks that ignited the second war of the successors. The Greek was arguably someone who helped to destabilize the territories that were conquered by the phalanxes of Alexander.==Eumenes and the fate of the Empire==Crucial to understanding the Cardian was his desire to maintain the unity of the Empire. Many believe that he was the only successor who believed in Alexander’s desire to unite east and west. Because he was not a Macedonian he did not believe in the exclusion of the conquered peoples from the army and government. This was not shared by the other successors and they firmly believed that the Macedonians should form a ruling military elite. The death of Eumenes ensured that the states that emerged after the fragmentation of the Empire were not pluralistic societies but rather they were to be dominated by a small Greek-Macedonian elite who largely excluded the natives and monopolized power in their own hands <ref> Waterfield, p 156</ref>. Eumenes had been raised in the court of Phillip II and did seem to be genuinely loyal to the Argead dynasty. His campaigns and even his break with Antignous, can be seen as an attempt to protect the rights and the interests of the Argeads and the sons of Alexander the Great. The various successors claimed to be only holding their territories until one of the sons of Alexander was crowned, but in reality they had no such intention <ref> Anson, p 67</ref>. Eumenes was the last hope of the Argead dynasty and his defeat meant that no Macedonian monarch would ever rule the lands won by the son of Phillip II. If Eumenes had won it is possible that one of the descendants of the conqueror of the Persians could have united the lands conquered by Alexander. Instead soon after the defeat of Greek, the last Argead king Alexander IV was murdered, even though he was only a boy, and this effectively ended the almost 500-year-old dynasty.==

==Conclusion==Eumenes was a brilliant man and he was regarded in antiquity as one of the most brilliant men in the early Hellenistic World. Despite his limited military experienceUpdate January 22, he proved to be a brilliant leader and military tactician. However, he ultimately failed in his projects and his impact on the development of the Hellenistic World was negligible. His determination and strategy helped only to prolong the First War of the Diadochi. His was also a very significant factor in the Second Diadochi War and this was to lead to a civil war from Asia Minor to Iran and only further added to the fragmentation of the Empire that had been won by Alexander. The Greek attempted to keep alive the vision of Alexander of a great and unified Empire that would enable the unification of European and non-European, but he failed. Moreover, with his defeat, which marked the end of the Second Diadochi War, the fate of the Argead dynasty was sealed and soon passed into history. ==Further Reading==Bosworth, A. "History and artifice in Plutarch’s Eumenes." In Plutarch and the historical tradition, pp. 64-97 (London, Routledge, 2002).Meeus, Alexander. "Alexander’s Image in the Age of the Successors." Alexander the Great: A New History (2009): 235-250.2019